The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities are related to service.,Service connection was also granted for depressive disorder NOS, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, psychotic disorder NOS, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has current diagnoses of bilateral shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease, and there are conflicting medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.,The Veteran has current diagnoses of depressive disorder NOS, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, psychotic disorder NOS, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder. There is evidence of psychiatric stressors and symptoms in service and continuous symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder strain, degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22005141
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 22005141.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the claims for bilateral shoulder strain, ankle tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate VA opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis and thus not warranting a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an extension of a temporary total evaluation based on the need for convalescence due to his service-connected left great toe hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease has been dismissed because this issue was already decided by the Board in January 2026.
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